Pileated Woodpecker

No pics, because it was flying, but I saw a pileated woodpecker today for the first time since the mid-90s.  And right after I went inside, Mike saw the pair flying together right by our cabin.  Great experience.  Next time maybe I can get a picture.

Solitary Sandpiper

Seen 5/1/2020 at our farm property in Due West.  It was by the small wet-weather pond beside our driveway, and was not the least bit frightened by our presence.  New bird for both Mike and me.

White-eyed Vireo

Saw a new bird at the farm today - a white-eyed vireo.  Unfortunately it moved too quickly for me to get a picture.  I was immediately taken by the bright yellow around its eyes, and a yellow wash on its underparts.  I have never seen any vireo before, so this was a real treat.

Edit:  Added picture 5/30/2020

Recent Photos February 2020

Hooded Mergansers on a pond near our property in Due West.  Right on the highway.

Tom turkey in the snow - our back yard

Orange crowned warbler during the snow

Carolina wrens.  They were jumping back and forth from the pavement to the wheel well.

Two photos with beautiful coloration.  In this one my camera focused on the bluebird. . . .

. . . and in this one on the cardinal.

Lightened photo of a cardinal in the bare bushes...

...and another.

Birds in the snow!!

We had an unexpected snowfall this morning.  Weatherman had called for a cold rain, with a chance of flurries around daybreak.  Well, the weather didn't start until around 10:00 this morning, and soon big, white, fluffy flakes were coming down, and continued falling until about 3:00 this afternoon.  So we have an inch of beautiful snow on the ground, and the bird activity was heavy.  It's been a surprise winter day, but very enjoyable.

Just a common house finch, but the snow on his crown makes a pretty picture.

First goldfinch of the year!

Orange-crowned warbler on the bottom.  A few minutes ago I got a rare sight - I saw the orange crown!!  That is not common at all.  It was just a slight orange line on its head.
Other than that pretty orange line, it is a very nondescript warbler.

The obligatory cardinal photo in any winter picture collection.

Big Morning at the Farm Ponds

Trip to the farm ponds this morning.  We've not been out there much since getting our own farm.  It turned out to be a very good trip!

First, an immature hawk species.  I cannot tell the immature hawks apart.  This was either a red-tail or a red-shouldered.

And then this was at the edge of the ponds.  Looks like the heron is keeping guard over the mallards.

Buffleheads (female) on the lower pond.  One male was with several females, but he's not in this picture.

Then - we saw a large bird circling fairly far away, decided it was a vulture - until we spotted the white tail and head.  A mature bald eagle!!!  It decided to fly to a spot closer to us.  Still not great pics, but definitely enough to see what it was.

 Finally - something was in the snag at the top of a dead tree, where we usually say "Is that something?" and it turns out just to be the top of the snag.  Well, this time it was something.  A peregrine falcon.  A first for both of us.  The clincher was when it flew to get a dove for lunch.  Hugely powerful wingbeats, and FAST.  Classic for a peregrine.  This was also larger than a merlin, and much larger than a kestrel.  And the cheek patch fits a peregrine.  Great way to end the trip!

Farm Ponds 1/2/2020

Rainy morning - cold - but we went to see what was out there.  Beautiful male bufflehead with two females was about all that was interesting.

We did see two loons on Hartwell on the way out there.  I got this snapshot.  I almost think it was a red-throated (red does not show in the winter), but probably it was a common loon.